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St. Louis Cardinals set sights on holding Cubs in 2016

By Cory Hatchel

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Oct 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) reacts as he grounds into a double play against the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning in game two of the 2014 NLCS playoff baseball game at Busch Stadium. Molina suffered an apparent injury on the swing and had to be helped off the field. Image Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) reacts as he grounds into a double play against the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning in game two of the 2014 NLCS playoff baseball game at Busch Stadium. Molina suffered an apparent injury on the swing and had to be helped off the field. Image Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Will health be an issue again?

This is right up there with the very first concern that I had with the St. Louis Cardinals, as the Cardinals’ encountered some stifling injuries to their best players last season, but remains number three on my list primarily because of the season St. Louis had without their star players.

Though the Cardinals led the Majors with 100 wins in 2015, they had to navigate through seemingly constant injury issues to get there.  Without the same outfield and pitching depth they assembled last season, the Cardinals cannot afford to lose as many key players again if they want to repeat that success.

What happened last season was a “once in a life time” kind of regular season.  To lose the number of players St. Louis lost and not only just “players,” but stars to the St. Louis Cardinals and to have St. Louis not only win their division, but also finish with the best record in baseball is unheard of!

If you look at the Cubs and wipe out Anthony Rizzo, Jon Lester, and Addison Russell you would be looking at a team with a losing record.  As long as GM John Mozeliak can bring in a few more guys rather it be through free agency or via trade, it will be an improvement from last season.

Garcia, Martinez, Adams, Grichuk and Gonzales are among those looking to bounce back from injury, you could even throw Holliday in that mix as well.  The St. Louis Cardinals will be able to gauge their health early, too, as Yadier Molina’s second thumb surgery could affect his readiness of Opening Day.

Next: Does general manager John Mozeliak have a surprise move up his sleeve?

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